The History of Willis Hall

Willis Hall Chronology

1867
January 23: site chosen by special meeting of Board of Trustees.

September: Northfield College opened in American House

1868-69
“Fitful” construction. Called “Goodsell Hall” in the architectural drawings. In June of 1869, “occurred the laying of the cornerstone, containing diverse documents and the names of all contributors to the Founders’ Fund. By then the basement had been finished and 90 cords of stone, laboriously dragged to the site by ox teams, had been used. Then came a halt for over a year, however, “in view of the fact that the subscriptions specifically made for the erection of the building are to so large an extent unpaid.”

1872
Original building completed in September. Three story building designed by Minneapolis firm of Alden and Howe, and built by Mr. D.C. Hill of Red Wing, Minnesota at a cost of $28,000. French Second Empire style. Chapel chandeliers donated by William Carleton. Campus plan only beginning – front of building overlooked the Cannon River and Northfield. (to the east was a wheat field.) “New Hall.” December dedication, at which Minnesota Governor spoke. Top story men’s dormitory*; 1st floor chapel, remainder of space for recitation rooms, library, and “cabinet.” Students originally had access to the 150 volumes in the “library” only for an hour after lunch, which followed the daily prayer meetings held at noon in Willis.

* Faculty minutes from 1870’s: “the use of brass musical instruments having become annoying and detrimental in Willis Hall, it was unanimously voted that all use of such brass instruments in Willis Hall be restricted to the basement.”

1873
Named for Susan Willis, who donated $10,000 to retire the debt on building.

1879
December 23: a blizzardy day of sub-zero temperature, starting about 10 a.m., fire gutted the wooden inside of Willis and extensively damaged the central tower and third floor roof line. (Rice County Journal: “Carleton College Burned to the Ground”) Insurance claim for $12,000. Surviving library books stored off campus, then to Williams when that opened in 1881.

1880
January 1: “trustees voted unhesitatingly to rebuild better than before. Like Grant in the Wilderness, the orders are to advance trusting in Providence and a reliable constituency.” Rebuilt — entirely new interior encompassed by the old frame, and exterior changes, $15,577.51. Exterior changes: elimination of a cornice in the top line of the mansard roof, stylization of the third floor dormers, and the addition of the clock tower. No longer dorm facilities. 2nd floor more spacious chapel, classrooms, meeting room for literary societies. Furnace instead of stoves. Rededicated in October.

1882
December: connected with parts of the town by telephone.

1886
Robins Battell of Norfolk, Connecticut donated a chime of bells for the new tower clock.

1894
James J. Bow '74 reminisced about the old Willis: “To the old Carletonians it will ever be the Willis Hall. Affection refuses to go out to its newer sister, and memory fondly pauses in its reminiscent flight at a time when it stood in its rugged homeliness as a fitting emblem of the true, the noble and the good.”

1903
Bookstore opened in Willis in January, in between 1st and 2nd floors – moved in 1904 to cubbyhold in basement. As student-run co-op (operated by College from 1920).

1905 Gift allowed connection of Willis and other building to a new sewer line, “thus doing away with expensive and objectionable cesspools.”

1920s
Offices for English Department (and Latin, Public Speaking and Romance Languages)

1921
Bookstore installed in the south end of the basement, formerly a chemistry laboratory. English department took up quarters where the old chapel had been.

1923
A tea room and the post office located in north end of basement. Soon thereafter, a little theater and Carletonian office (later moved to Williams, then Severance, and then in 1955 back to the top of removed Willis) Theater on 3rd until late 1932 when Nourse Little Theater replaced.